Noah Kahan denounces Trump’s use of his song and refuses permission

Noah Kahan used Instagram to make clear that he would never consent to Donald Trump or the White House employing his song “American Cars” in political messaging. The post responded to a White House social-media clip that paired the track with footage from a Michigan gathering supporting autoworkers. Kahan’s brief statement, which has drawn thousands of likes, placed him among a growing list of artists who have publicly rebuked Trump for using their music without permission.

The 29-year-old, a native of Vermont, is riding a wave of commercial success after his album The Great Divide reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and spawned an expanded edition with four new songs. He is currently on a sold-out Great Divide tour, recently closing a four-night run at Boston’s Fenway Park where he was also honored in the ballpark’s artist hall of fame.